Hurricanes at Capitals
THE STORY: The Washington Capitals have come a long way
in a relatively short amount of time. After being in 10th place in the
Eastern Conference on Wednesday, they'll look to pull into a tie atop
the Southeast Division with idle Florida by defeating the rival Carolina
Hurricanes on Sunday. The Capitals are in prime position to do just
that, considering their impressive home record as well as the
Hurricanes' pronounced road woes. Washington boasts an impressive 16-5-1
mark at the Verizon Center - with two of the victories coming to start
their current four-game homestand. "A couple days ago, we were out of
the playoffs," Capitals G Tomas Vokoun said. "We don't have any cushion
to relax on. These are big games. They're all tough and we have to take
advantage. We're right on the edge of being in or out and we need every
win." Carolina, which is just 5-12-4 away from the RBC Center, posted
its second straight victory by defeating the Stanley Cup champion Boston
Bruins for the third time this season.
TV: 5 p.m. ET, FSCR, CSW
ABOUT THE HURRICANES (16-23-7): Calder Trophy winner
Jeff Skinner participated in Saturday's morning skate and a
stickhandling session, but coach Kirk Muller elected to keep the
19-year-old out versus the Bruins. "If there's any question mark or any
uncertainty, we want to make sure he's 100 percent," Muller said. "He
had another workout (Saturday). We have back-to-back games here, so
hopefully we will get him ready for (Sunday)." Skinner has missed the
team's last 16 games with a concussion.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (23-17-2): RW Troy Brouwer netted
his first career hat trick on Friday as Washington posted its second win
in a row and sixth in eight games with a 4-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay
Lightning. Brouwer also fared well in his last meeting versus Carolina,
collecting a goal and an assist in a 5-1 victory on Nov. 4. All-Star
Alex Ovechkin and linemate Alexander Semin have each recorded 12 points
in their last 11 games.
OVERTIME:
1. Hurricanes D Jason Harrison scored his fourth goal in as many
contests to snap a tie with 1:30 remaining in the third period on
Saturday. Harrison has not recorded a goal - and only mustered 13 shots -
in 12 career games versus the Capitals.
2. In his NHL debut, rookie C Cody Eakin secured his first NHL goal and assist in Washington's victory over Carolina on Nov. 4.